STIGMATIZE THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED IN NIGERIA AND GO TO JAIL!

ZION B-BC   NEWSLETTER.  

A Publication of the Zion Faith Bible-Believing Church, Kpeyegyi, Abuja Nigeria. [VOL. 6. NO 194. 30th April, 2017.} “…ONLY The Truth, Will Set You   Free! (John.8:32).

STIGMATIZE THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED IN NIGERIA AND GO TO JAIL!

Successive Nigerian Presidents might have refused to be Eyes to the Blind and Feet to the Lame, through deliberate denial of assent to the DISABILITY BILL but "distinguished" Senators of the 8th National Assembly have taken steps to break the jinx that bedeviled this philanthropic document, which was recently passed by the Red Chambers and presently awaits concurrency of the House of Representatives! Legislators of the 6th and 7th National Assembly of the successive administrations of ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ebele Jonathan passed the Bill into law only for it to meet the brickwalls of executive rebuff on each occassion!
Can the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governments give plausible reasons why they denied the physically and mentally impaired their rightful portions of the social contract during their almost TWO decades (1999-2015), monopoly of power? Why would the dividends of democracy in all sectors of the economy not be extended to these endangered species who should not be held responsible for their pathetic plight in spite of their fundamental human rights? It is a glaring fact that NOT ALL of the physically-challenged persons on wheel chairs or those guided to cross the streets to collect alms from passers-by were born with such disabilities - in fact, most were victims of automobile accidents or some other environmental disasters through man's irresponsibilities or through natural acts of GOD like sand storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, heat waves, etc. Disability could affect a person's attitude; last a lifetime or be miraculously cured like two men mentioned in the Bible and recorded to have been born blind and lame respectively (John. 5:1-9 and Mark.10:46-52 ). Let him who stands be very careful, lest he falls!

Disability vary in definition or interpretation. For instance it could refer to: (1) an impairment which limits activities in some parts of the body, (2). a disability which restricts participation with others, or (3) a disadvantageous health issue which could result in stigmatization by myopic and naive fellow citizens. World Health Organization (WHO), states that disability is not just a health problem but a phenomenon reflecting the interaction between features of a person's body and features of the society in which he or she lives. Disabilities include physical/mental disabilities, health issues, learning/intellectual disability, hearing loss/deafness, Autism, memory loss, speech and language disorders, vision loss/blindness, Down syndrome or chronic illness!

Testimonies from Psychiatric Wards: (1) Stella (25), developed mental disorders and was repatriated from London, when she was jilted by her fiancée who abandoned her at the altar! (2) 'Bayo (21) lost his parents and two siblings in an automobile accident and the painful disaster led him to speech and language disorders, which is still being medically treated! (3) Paul (42), heard of his retrenchment through a radio announcement, fell into a coma only to wake up three months later with memory loss and mental disorder!
Are people with natural or accidental disabilities therefore abnormal persons not fit to enjoy social amenities and basic necessities of life? Should they be discarded like the dregs of the society fit only for medical attention, charity or human sympathies?
NO! We should not forget that Nigerian PWDs made the nation proud at the 2012 Paralympic Games shortly after the ABLE-BODIED CONTINGENT to the events failed to win a SINGLE MEDAL! The physically paralympians raked in SIX GOLD, FIVE SILVER AND TWO  BRONZE MEDALS and were all adequately rewarded by the Federal Government. They also performed similar feats in the 2016 GAMES!  Have they not proved that they do not deserve any form of stigmatization? Should not the more-determined among them access education without stigmatization? But are special facilities provided for them in schools, public or private high-rise buildings, offices, ministries, which they could easily access with their wheel chairs, to study or initiate business opportunities without difficulties? What about societal discrimination due to inconveniencies they pose to others, while they struggled to become Lawyers, Teachers, Radio Presenters, Engineers etc?  Would they not be subjected to socio-political inequality and insecurity if they insisted on their RIGHTS? What is the percentage of People With Disabilities (PWDs), in positions of authority in the Executive, Legislature, and the Judiciary?
Should they be further marginalized, neglected ....without educational opportunities, sources of subsistence other than begging for alms, without employment opportunities and social stigmatization?
Can the social contract for the physically impaired as enshrined in the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution, Chapter II, Section16 (2) (d) Economic Objectives, "that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens," be implemented without an enabling law?
Although PWDs constitute only about 3% of the workforce but World Health Organization (WHO), claims that over 20 million Nigerians are living with disabilities- which make them the largest minority group in the nation!

GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS OWE IT A DUTY TO SUPPORT THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED!
In other climes, there are a lot of benefits/facilities for those with physical disabilities; should Nigeria's case be different? Those who are visually-impaired enjoy free access to special Schools for the Blind and if very brilliant could advance to secondary/tertiary institutions still on scholarship, while physically-disadvantaged are granted facilities to attend public schools and universities. They are provided with public transportation designed with specifications for easy access without stress to all destinations. All public buildings, schools, banking halls, churches, mosques, hospitals, including the HIGH RISE, are designed with specifications to accommodate their needs as they access with their CRUTCHES, WHEELCHAIRS, GUIDE CANES OR WALKING STICKS without the aid of abled-bodied citizens? Special appropriation is allocated to cater for PWDs in annual national budgets while Non-Govemental Organisations (NGOs), and Civil Society Groups also contribute to make life more meaningful for them.

WHAT IS THE PLIGHT OF THE NIGERIAN PWDs?
In spite of regular advocacy by various interest groups and stakeholders in respect of the challenges of these MARGINALIZED AND ALWAYS SIDELINED CITIZENS - it is yet to be seen if the Legislators would actually pursue the gains recorded through the passage of the Disability Bill to its logical conclusion of assent by the President. Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, seeks to cater for the interests of PWDs and provide for the establishment of a National Commission which would be empowered to look after the education and health as well as protect their socio-economic, civil and political rights. The Bill prescribes a fine of N100.000 or six months in prison or both for an individual who contravenes the law and also seeks to protect the legal rights of PWDs in Nigeria and once assented will totally prohibit any form of discrimination against them!

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WILL GET EQUAL RIGHTS AND ATTENTION - SARAKI.
Two groups of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) paid a courtesy visit to National Assembly (NASS), to thank the 8th Assembly leadership on the recent passage of the Disability Bill. The Senate President assured that their predicament would not cause them stigmatization but that they would enjoy equal rights like every other Nigerian citizen.
He also said that NASS would follow up to ensure that the Bill was signed into law by President Muhamadu Buhari, after the concurrence of the House of Representatives. More support was advocated during a conference to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWDs), entitled, "Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for People of All Abilities", organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD), in Abuja.

PHYSICAL DISABLITY IS NEITHER A CURSE NOR A DISADVANTAGE!
The cliché' that the World is not "a bed of roses", is more understandable to the Blind, Deaf and the Lame than to the Autistic or person with a Down-Syndrome. The former three, though physically impaired in sight, hearing and limbs, still have the advantage of a mental capacity to utilize those challenges favorably. For instance, the blind, would still move around unaided with guide cane/walking stick and could still read through the aid of BRAILLE invention. The lame would move around without a guide on a wheel chair but the Autistic or Down syndrome victim - though blessed with sight and hearing aids - would lack the mental capabilities to use them to advantage!

"Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord.” (Lev: 19:14.KJV)

Please look forward to more divine revelation in the next edition of Zion B-BC Newsletter as you share this with friends and remain blessed in the Lord. [For weekly access, to this newsletter, log on to:  facebook.com/zionfaithbible.believingchurch or http://www.zfbbc1.blogspot.com, https://www.google.com/+zionfaithbiblebelievingchurch.

Please look forward to divine revelations in  The Sure Word Gospel Tracts, Our divinely inspired books on the Amazon KINDLE Store Namely: The Unbroken Chain of Grace, Nigeria’s Pot Pourri (Volumes 1-5), Godly Politicking For World Peace,  and The Wedding Mascot Died. 

If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, don’t miss this great opportunity as you pray this prayer: Lord Jesus; I confess that I am a sinner who needs to be saved through the grace of the New Testament of your Blood, shed on the Cross at Calvary; I renounce every sin in my life and accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive me and write my name in the Book of Life. Amen. If you prayed this prayer, you have been admitted into the family of sons and daughters of God, who are born-again. Congratulations.

I am, yours sincerely, Dr. David B.A. Olufon, Resident Pastor and Editor. 08130669886, 08098194390.  08080243066   g-mail- dvdolufon@gmail.com.